FAVORITE ALBUMS...

So I was bored and got to thinkin'...what albums have truly gone beyond spawning a few Top 40 hits and have been meticulously crafted by artists who sought the true meaning of the art? Music, to me, should be more than just something that compels chicks to coochy poppin' or something of the sort (although there's a time and place for that); it should be lyric arrangement of something profound and moving. Despite what individuals of other generations may say, "music isn't what it used to be," blah blah blah, I beg to differ. Below are 10 albums (released during my lifetime) that can render these arguments null.

# 10) "Waiting to Exhale: Music from the Motion Picture," Various Artists (1996)

There are few soundtracks that can really be considered an album. Usually clunky, lacking fluidity and altogether purposeless, soundtracks typically suffer from a lack of identity and are usually filled with one or two top 5 hits among a load of "what the h*ll is this sh*t" songs. In other words, soundtracks are essentially another form of marketing for the film they are meant to support. Not this one. The Waiting to Exhale soundtrack--featuring tracks from Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, TLC and Toni Braxton--is cohesive in its arrangement; every song is another chapter in the album's story. With no weak link in the bunch, this album is a strong listen from start to finish and actually does more justice to the movie than the movie does to itself. And that, in and of itself, is saying a lot.


#9) "St. Elsewhere," Gnarls Barkley (2006)

It's weird. It's haunting. It's d*mn amazing. Gnarls Barkley's 2006 release, "St. Elsewhere," is a pseudo-soul/alternative album...h*ll, who knows what it truly is. Regardless, it's an astounding achievement from the duo, which is comprised of former Goodie Mob frontman Cee-Lo and underground producer Danger Mouse. The album eccentrically explores issues such as suicide, heartbreak and drug addiction through Cee-Lo's hey-that-guy-sounds-like-the-old-guy-from-my-church vocals stacked atop Danger Mouse's electronic beats, and the result is...well, obviously great if it ended up on this list. It's an album unlike any other.

#8) "Daydream," Mariah Carey (1995)

Released in 1995, Mariah Carey's "Daydream" album is undoubtedly her best work and, perhaps, one of the best pop albums of the 90s. Including the #1 hits, "Fantasy," "Always Be My Baby" and the great "One Sweet Day," (the chilling duet with Boyz II Men) "Daydream" has set the precedent for every other Mariah album to follow--and they've all fallen extremely short. While it may be hard to truly take her seriously with subpar recordings like "Touch My Body," this album is a fair indication that beneath the overzealous diva is a true artist with the ability to craft a beautiful body of work.

#7) "Baduizm," Erykah Badu (1997)

Before neo-soul had even been classified as such, Erykah Badu was setting the bar for subsequent albums that would dare to be considered a member of this sub-genre. The true achievement of "Baduizm" is its songwriting, and Badu's poetic storytelling is a true gem. Each letter of every word has a meaning, and it takes multiple listens to sufficiently digest Badu's prose. But once you have, it's profound. This album may have served as the antecedent for neo-soul albums, but after listening to it in its entirety, it's necessary to ask if any so-called neo-soul album is even worthy of being in Ms. Badu's company.

#6) "In Rainbows," Radiohead (2007)

One of the biggest sins the National Association for Recordings Arts & Sciences (NARAS, better known as the old guys that award Grammys) could have ever committed was choosing not to award this work with the Album of the Year trophy. "In Rainbows," released by British alternative band Radiohead, is a daring piece of work that examines issues so close to home (e.g., sudden death of loved ones, unexpected failures, etc.) in a fashion that is truly thought-provoking. The musical arrangement complements the lyrical work; the chord dissonance heightens the suspense of each track. One can only hope this album doesn't get lost in time.

#5) "Crazysexycool," TLC (1994)

Message to children 15 and younger: There's a very good chance that your existence is due to this album. Surely, TLC knew that this would be an album of conception upon its release--and with tracks like "Red Light Special," "Take Our Time" and "Kick Your Game," it's almost impossible for it not to be. But beneath the baby-making music is one of the most compelling songs released during my lifetime, "Waterfalls"--which took the issue of HIV/AIDS head-on and most certainly left a lasting effect on my generation. Survey anyone aged 35 and younger, and I promise they could recite its infectious chorus on command.

#4) "The College Dropout," Kanye West (2004)

People think Kanye West is an inglorious bastard--and he probably is. But he's an ingenious, inglorious bastard. "The College Dropout" does something few hip-hop albums have been able to accomplish: it evokes thought. A lot of it. West encompasses just about every issue imaginable--discrimination, race relations, religion--in his breakthrough debut, and doesn't hold back. Ironically, West is usually rebuked for the very thing that makes his albums great: his frankness. He says the things most people are scared to say, and does things most people are scared to do. Well I guess making a politically relevant, honest album are one of those reprehensible things. Thanks Mr. West for stepping up to the plate.

#3) "Back to Black," Amy Winehouse (2007)

Winehouse, to most, is synonymous with "crack whore." But beneath the gigantic beehive, emaciated stature and odd attire is a true musical genius. On the album, Winehouse laments of the heartbreak she's suffered, and croons with a voice so strong that will make even the harshest critic a believer. Although the album clocks in at just over 30 minutes, each track is composed with a sense of musicality that really makes you wish she would have said, "yes, yes, yes" (anyone oblivious to this reference should go back under their rock). After hearing this album, the realization will soon come that her omission from the current music scene is a true injustice. Amy...for the sake of music, PLEASE get your act together.

#2) "Jagged Little Pill," Alanis Morissette (1995)

Alanis Morissette was an angry b*tch, and it worked. I don't know what pissed her off, but whatever did, thanks--out of her resentment came one of the greatest albums ever released: "Jagged Little Pill." Alanis exposes herself on the album, revealing a vulnerability that most artists rarely allow listeners to discover. Whether she's having a conniption over a former lover ("You Oughta Know"), admitting the hurt she suffered from the fact that her parents were obviously underwhelmed by her achievements ("Perfect"), or explaining just how sh*tty life can be ("Ironic"), this album is a true masterpiece.

#1) "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," Lauryn Hill (1998)

"The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." Man...there are honestly no words that can truly do this album justice. It's flawless. Lauryn Hill, after the disbandment of the Fugees, created a collection of songs that solidified Hill as a musical prodigy. Packaged as a concept album that examined love, betrayal, and personal growth, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" speaks volumes about life and any listener can relate to it. Lauryn's versatility as a rapper, singer, producer, and writer is praiseworthy, as well; she truly used each and every inherent talent to truly explain to the world what Lauryn Hill was all about. The final words of the title track serves as a perfect summation of the reputation Hill has created for herself:

"And deep in my heart
The answer, it was in me
And I made up my mind
To define my own destiny"

Lauryn Hill is defined by my peers as one of the greatest musical talents of our generation, and this album serves as a testament to that claim.

Here are some other great albums that just didn't quite make the list:
* "American Idiot," Green Day (2005)
* "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," Outkast (2003)
* "Californication," The Red Hot Chili Peppers (2001)
* "Come On Over," Shania Twain (1998)
* "Version 2.0," Garbage (1998)
* "Tragic Kingdom," No Doubt (1996)

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK

After about a three-month absence, "Jay-Cee yo" is back in commission!! Pardon my extended hiatus; this semester has been a real nut kicker!!

Nonetheless, I'm back and with a vengeance...muahahahahaha (*insert epic score here*)

Bringin' it back...this semester has been one for the record books. I took my first real road trip with my ride-or-dies (shoutout to marz, naturallynawlins' & javier!!), got crunk while at SROW (Southern Regional Orientation Workshop) with the orientation leaders (HOT SROW GRRRRRRRRR)in Oxford, MS, and, most importantly, became an uncle and godfather to Kayson Michael Foxall; I can't wait to buy him his first pair of dunks :-D!!

Oh yeah, what about the actual school part?? Pppbbbb...horse feet (what? Horse don't have feet!?! Yes, I know Watson)...who actually goes to school to learn? How antiquated is learning at a learning establishment?? But if you must must know, school went well...or so I think (I'll find out Wednesday when all final grades are posted)!

So what are the summer plans?? Well, I'll be working in NYC again with JPMorgan Chase. This summer should undoubtedly bring a plethora of experiences, as not only will I be working with individuals whom I've never met, I'll also be living in a Brooklyn apartment for the summer :-). BRING IT ON!

Well, my words are beginning to run short, so I'll expire here.

Until next time, I'll leave you with the profound words of former President George W. Bush...

""There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again."

National Title: 2009...maybe...just maybe?

So LSU seems poised to take the #1 recruiting class in college football.

Seems a little daunting for next year's opponents, right? Maybe, maybe not.

Coming off an 8-5 season (That still has me bewildered, I must say), the LSU Bayou Bengals are looking to return to grace and prove that its recent National Championship was no fluke.

Yes, the 51-21 blowout to Florida still burns and the 31-30 loss to Arkansas during the final seconds left most people scratching their heads, but I believe (and I hope that this belief is coated with realism and not optimism) that next year, LSU will be a forced to be reckoned with.

There's only one thing...

If you've ever walked around LSU's campus, there are usually bumper stickers, posters, etc. floating around on game day that state, "Fear the Hat."

Trust me, I do.

[Sidenote: Head Coach Les Miles was deemed "The Mad Hatter" following some of his play gambles (that happened to pay off) during the 2007 season. He also wears his hat perched atop his head, as if it's two sizes too small]

Granted, my football education stems about as far as, well, um...what I hear on TV but some of the things Les Miles does leads me to believe this man is, at times, truly beguiled.

For Example:

Trying to "stretch it out" (i.e. run out the game clock) with over three minutes left to play in regulation (and only a 6-point lead) during the Arkansas game. Huh??

Attempting a 62-yard field goal (in inclement weather) during the same game. What??

Or, my favorite, trying to get a first down on 3rd and 20 by running the ball straight up the middle (during the Alabama game). That's a winner.

There's lots to fear.

Conversely, Miles does occasionally pull a few tricks from his sleeve that yield a few tips of the hat (see: 35-3 victory over GA Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl). But where are these tricks when you need em?

Having a top-notch recruiting class is great, but if we catch Miles looking like this (see picture below) anytime next season, there will be a lot to fear. Trust me.

Now excuse me while I go eat on my new Obama commemorative plate...and Geaux Tigers!

The Funniest Show on TV that NO ONE watches

30 Rock is hilarious. Like extremely.

It wins awards. It's on all the critics' top-ten lists. But no one watches it. Why?

I suppose everyone has been living under a rock, and apparently not this "Rock" (Corny, I know, but I couldn't help myself).

Tina Fey executive produces, writes and stars as Liz Lemon in this show about a show, which takes place at NBC's 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Alec Baldwin plays Jack Donaughy, Lemon's boss, and shows off comic chops of his own -- often muttering knee-slapping one-liners throughout the show.

Again, why is "American Idol" the number one show on TV?

To avoid the risk of sounding like a high-brow, conceited television viewer, I won't get into my own spiel about how much I hate "American Idol." But please someone...ANYONE...explain to me how this show continues to kick a*s and take names in the ratings, despite its rapidly-declining significance (*cough* both David Archuleta and David Cook's debut albums were flops *cough*).

Although "30 Rock" has been on for three seasons, its momentum seems to be stagnant (It's ratings actually fell the week following its Golden Globe win for Best Comedy Series). One can only hope it gets some type of TV miracle before it ends up like other loved-by-critics-yet-hated-by-television-audience sitcoms (e.g., "Arrested Development," "Freaks & Geeks")

Where's Oprah when you need her? Oh wait, she was actually on the show and the ratings are still dismal. I Guess fat Oprah just doesn't have that magic touch like the self-indulgent, skinny Oprah does.

Just kidding, just kidding...(or not)

Anyhow, in a world where this "Mall Cop" nonsense can debut number one at the American box office, while "Milk" -- or any other great achievement in American cinema -- can barely reach an audience, I guess I shouldn't hold my breath. So it goes.

Alas, let me pre-order my ticket for "Big Momma's House 3," DVR "The Real Housewives of Orange County" and catch the next episode of "Date My Mom."

And the Academy Award goes to...

The Academy of Motion Pictures (i.e, The one-foot-in-the-grave snob association) released its nominees for Hollywood's highest honor, the Oscar, on yesterday -- slobbing on the knob of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" a whopping 13 times. Not far behind was "Slumdog Millionaire," whose a*s has been kissed far too many times thus far, most recently from the Hollywood Foreign Press (which distributes the oh-so-coveted-for-no-godd*mn-reason Golden Globe). Anywho, let the games begin.

Before I get into my personal picks, I'm going to quote the marvelous Tina Fey by telling the Academy to "suck it!" The omission of "The Dark Knight" in any major category (minus Heath Ledger's well-deserved nod Best Supporting Actor nod for his performance as the diabolical, wacky Joker) was utterly ridiculous. But considering the fact that the movie wasn't the prototypical snooze fest the Academy marvels over, I shouldn't be too surprised. Regardless, the nominees are...

Best Supporting Actor: Josh Brolin ("Milk"), Robert Downey, Jr. ("Tropic Thunder"), Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Doubt"), Heath Ledger ("The Dark Knight") and Michael Shannon ("Revolutionary Road")

My Pick: With the exception of Shannon in "Revolutionary Road," I've seen all the performances and if anyone in the academy is dumb enough to look over Ledger's turn as the Joker, they deserve to have their social security check revoked. End of story.

Best Supporting Actress: Amy Adams ("Doubt"), Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Viola Davis ("Doubt"), Taraji P. Henson ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and and Marisa Tomei ("The Wrestler")

My Pick: Viola Davis as the emotional mother of an African-American boy believed to be doing the...ya know...with a priest. Although her role was minimal, (I went to the bathroom, came back, and she was approaching the end of her 12-minute stint in the movie), she definitely let it out. When I came back, she was snotting, crying and screaming--all ingredients for an Oscar, right? I was just kidding about the bathroom part, but her role was 12-minutes long (and perhaps had I gone to the bathroom, I would have missed it)-- and she owned every second of it.

Best Actor: Richard Jenkins ("The Visitor"), Frank Langella ("Frost/Nixon"), Sean Penn ("Milk"), Brad Pitt ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Mickey Rourke ("The Wrestler")

My Pick: Ok, I hadn't even heard of "The Visitor" until about eight minutes ago, and I haven't seen Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler" (although it's supposedly a role that is uplifting, heart-warming and all those other insert-here adjectives you say about a guy who was just about at the end of his career). I have seen the other three, though. Pitt was good, but despite his subtle, understated role as the sensitive title character, he shouldn't waste his time preparing an acceptance speech. Langella and Penn were both GREAT and completely immersed themselves in their respective roles, but Penn -- as slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk -- really made "Milk" come alive.

Best Actress: Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married"), Angelina Jolie ("Changeling"), Melissa Leo ("Frozen River"), Meryl Streep ("Doubt") and Kate Winslet ("The Reader")

My Pick: Kate Winslet. Haven't seen anyone else except Streep, but Winslet is one of my favorite actresses (I know, but isn't it about rewarding the performance, not the individual? -- H*ll no). With six nominations (she's only 33 years old) and no wins, I don't want her to become that chick from the Emmy's...what's her name...oh yeah, Susan Lucci!

Best Picture: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "The Reader," "Slumdog Millionaire"

My Pick: "Slumdog" is overrated. America decides to be progressive on Election Day, so critics decide to follow suit. Well cut the sh*t. "Frost/Nixon" is good, but who the h*ll will remember it, perhaps, three months from now. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is epic, it's long, it's romantic...what more could the Academy want? Forget the fact that it's also clichéd and starts to spiral into this parabolic sap fest during the movie's last act. I didn't see "The Reader," but I hear it's just another melodramatic film set during none other than: World War II. "Milk" is great. It's moving. Sean Penn is excellent. "Milk" by a longshot.

Well I'm tired and all this talk about Milk has me wanting a peanut better and jelly sandwich with a side of beets.

Peace.

Forget hip-hop...Mariah saved my life...

The recession is starting to take its toll on my pocketbook, and guess who's come to save the day?

You got it...Mimi herself.

That's right, Mariah Carey has provided me with high-quality, free entertainment. You heard it right...free.

I don't know what happened in the midst of her self-proclaimed "emotional breakdown," but Mariah (whose record label has dubbed her as "The Voice"...fitting, I know), should know that her sh*tty live performances have summoned immense gratitude; No longer am I forced to give monetary donations to the movie theater (i.e. enjoying a nice, high-priced movie) -- I can now seek reprieve by simply catching Mariah on youtube.

Haha...on youtube...the place she b*tched about how she "best" not be found ("Touch My Body" allusion for all you head-scratchers). But I digress!

So what's the moral of this blog, children?

Yes, it is possible for us to save some pennies and seek low-cost entertainment in the midst of this economic crisis...

"Yes We Can" (Yeeaaahhh Obama -- had to throw that in there)...all you gotta do is "catch this flick on you tube" (another "Touch My Body" reference)...



Until then...if you see someone doing the single ladies dance in their car, point and judge them. Please.

That is all!